Apparatus for turning terra-cotta pipes.



Patented Oct. 7, I902;

A.v ROBINSON.

APPARATUS FOR TURNING TERRA GOTTA PIPES.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l..

(No Model.)

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No. 7l0,894.

Patented-Oct. 7, I902.

A. ROBINSON.

APPARATUS FOR TURNING TERRA COTTA PIPES.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

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A. ROBINSON. APPARATUS FDR TURNING TERRA COTTA PIPES.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheei 3.

(No Model.)

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Urvrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREXV ROBINSON, OF UHRICHSVILLE, OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR TURNING TERRA-GOTTA PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,894, dated October7, 1902.

Application filed March 29, 1902. Serial No. 100,616. (No model.)

declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for mechanically handling andreversing pipes made of earthenware and similar material after the samehave been pressed and during the trimming and finishing operations, theapparatus also serving to transport the pipe from the press to theelevator or other convenient point remote from the press, so as not tobe in the way.

The invention provides an apparatus of the character aforesaid which canbe used with,

different sizes of pipes by replacing a cradle of one size by means ofacradle of proper size conformable to the diameter of pipe to behandled.

In constructing the apparatus the following points govern and controlnamely: sim-v plicity of construction, compactness of arrangement, easeof operation, effectiveness,

durability, and adaptation of the mechanism to different-sized pipes.

For a full description of the invention andthe merits thereof and'alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand drawings hereto attached.

\Vhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention aresusceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure1 is a side elevation of an apparatus for handling sewer and like pipesconstructed in accordance with and embodying the essential features ofthe invention. Fig. 2' is a view similar to Fig.- 1, showing a length ofpipe held in the cradle and reversed or turned end for end. Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the tr the cradle 1.

carrier or truck. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the cradle and attachedparts. Fig. 5 is a rear view. Fig. 6 is a side view of a modifi cation,the truck being constructed to turn upon the floor or like surface.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following,description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The cradle 1 is approximately of semicircular form in plan section andis of. a length and diameter corresponding to the size of the pipe to behandled, a different-sized cradle being provided for each size of pipe.The cradle may be of any substantial construction and formed of anymaterial best adapted for the purpose. Trunnions 2 project laterallyfrom diametrically opposite sides of the cradle and are mounted inbearings 3, supported by means of a truck constructed to run either uponthe floor or surface or an overhead track. The trunnions 2 form parts ofor are applied to plates 4, which are bolted or otherwise rigidlyattached to opposite sides Hand-wheels 5 are attached to the outer endsof the trunnions 2 to facilitate the turning ofthe cradle when it isrequired to reverse or turn the pipe.

' Pipe-gripping means are fitted to the cradle and comprise jaws 6 and7, the jaw 6 being centrally disposed at one end of the cradle and thejaw 7 being paired and located at the opposite end of the cradle, one ateach side thereof. The jaw Gextends across the space of the cradle,whereas the jaws 7 have inner flanges 8 to engage under opposite edgesof the board 9, upon which the pipe 10 rests.

Bars 10'project vertically from the jaws 7 and enter guides 11 atopposite sides of the cradle, so as to hold the jaws in place and directthem in their vertical movements. Aforked lever 12 is fulcru med at 13to opposite sides of the cradle 1 by means of its side members and hasloose connectionwith the bars 10 of the jaw 7. The stem of theforkedlever 12 is connected, by means of a link 14', with a rack-bar 15,arranged at the rearside of the cradle and adj ustably connected with anarm 16 of the jaw 6 by means of a clamp-bolt 17 passed through a slot 18of the rack-bar 15 and having screw-thread connection with the arm 1 16.By connecting the jaws 6 and '7 in the manner stated they are adapted tohave a sim ultaneous movement in opposite directions.

Suitable means are provided for operating thejaws and holding them in anadjusted position, particularly when the pipe 10 is clampedtherebetween. As shown, these means consist of a shaft 19, journaledtransversely in the rear of the cradle and provided at its outer endwith a hand-wheel 20 and at its innor end with a pinion 21 to mesh withthe teeth of the rack-bar 15 to effect a movement thereof. The shaft 19is journaled at its inner end in a bearing 22, secured to the cradle ata central point and is mounted near its outer end in a bearing at therear end of a bar 23, rigidly attached to a side of the cradle. Theshaft 19 is held in an adjusted position by means of a ratchet-wheel 24,applied thereto, and a pawl 25, pivoted to the bar 23. Upon turning theshaft 19 to the right the jaws 6 and 7 are advanced to grip the pipe 10,and upon turning the shaft 19 to the left the said jaws separate andrelease the pipe, as will be readily comprehended.

The truck for supporting the cradle may be constructed either to runupon an overhead track or upon the floor or surface, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, the latter showing the truck adapted totravel upon the fioor and comprising side pieces 26, of approximatelytriangular form, and casterwheels 27, the side pieces 26 being connectedin any convenient way and provided at their upper ends with the bearings3, in which the trunnions 2 are journaled. The overhead track comprisestwo rails 28, upon which the truck 29 is adapted to run, said railsbeing vertically adjustable by means of hangers 30,

' having their upper ends threaded and adapted to cooperate with nuts31, resting upon supports 32 and adapted to be turned so as to move thehangers up or down, as may be required either to level the track or forany other desired purpose. The truck 29 comprises a frame suitablybraced and casterwheels 33, which are mounted to run upon the rails 28.Downwardly-convergent rods 3% are suspended from the corners of thetruck 29 and support the bearings 3 and are adapted to be lengthened andshortened by means of turnbuckles 35 in the usual way. The cradle andits adjunctive parts are suspended from the truck 29 and are supportedupon the truck illustrated in Fig. 6, and in both cases they are of likeconstruction.

The pipe 10 when removed from the bars (not shown) is placed upon theboard 9, and a similar board 9 is placed upon the upper end of the pipewhen it is required to turn the latter to trim the lower end after theupper end has been trimmed. The truck is advanced to bringthe cradle 1in close contact with the pipe, after which the shaft 19 is turned toadvance the jaws 6 and 7 to clamp the boards 9 and 9 against the ends ofthe pipe and at the same time raise the latter to admit of its movementwith the carrier when moved upon its truck. An opening is formed in thefloor, and when the cradle with the pipe reaches a point directly abovethe opening in the floor the said pipe is turned by operating one orboth of the hand-wheels 5, the construction being such as to admit ofthe turning of the pipe in the length of its own space. After the pipehas been turned the truck is moved to a position at one side of theopening in the floor and the pipe is released and finished by trimmingthe upper end, after which it is again caught up by the cradle andcarried ofi to the elevator (not shown) or to any convenient point bymeans of the truck, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Inapparatus for turning and handling pipe, a track, adjustable supportsfor the track, a truck mounted to travel upon the track, bearings,adjustable connections between the bearings and truck, a cradlejournaled in said bearings, and means applied to 'the cradle forgripping the pipe, substantially as specified.

2. In apparatus for handling and turning pipe, a cradle, a forked leverfulcrumed to the cradle, jaws connected with the side members of theforked lever and adapted to engage with and support the pipe, and meansapplied to the cradle for operating the lever and holding it in anadjusted position, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a cradle provided at opposite sides with verticalguides, jaws at the sides of one end of the cradle and having extensionscooperating with the said guides, a forked lever fulcrumed to the cradleand having connection with the extensions of the jaws, and means forcooperating with the said lever for actuation thereof and holding it inan adjusted position, substantially as specified.

4. In combination, a cradle, jaws at the' sides of one end of the cradlehaving inner flanges or extensions for supporting the pipe, a forkedlever fulcrumed to the cradle and supporting said jaws, and meansapplied to the cradle for operating the said forked lever and holding itin an adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

5. In combination, a cradle, a jaw at one end of the cradle and havingan arm exizo tended along the rear side of the cradle, 00-

end of the cradle having an arm extended I an adjusted position,substantially as set therefrom along the rear side of the cradle, forth.In companion jaws at the opposite end of the In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature cradle, a lever fulcrumed to the cradle and inpresence of two witnesses.

supporting the companion jaws, a rack-bar ANDREW ROBINSON. [L. s]connecting the said lever and arm, a shaft Witnesses:

having a pinion in mesh With the rack-bar, E. B. l-IEALEA,

and means for holding the shaft and jaws in T. D. HEALEA.

